Friday, September 30, 2011

About a week ago I had to put the "Big Boy" down. Finn was suffering from Spondylosis, a chronic condition caused when bone spurs form on the spine due to progressive disc degeneration. It wasn't apparent to me that he was suffering from anything but old age, and the arthritis he had in his front elbows. But overnight, he had gone from moving around slowly in what appeared to be a somewhat arthritic walk, to being debilitated.

This past summer he had enjoyed many days on the dining deck of the "Staff House" of Laurens summer camp, at the feet of the children as they ate their meals. In true Lab fashion, not a crumb was spared. From breakfast through dinner Finns presence was enjoyed by the children and staff alike. Many nights I had to go to the deck to retrieve him. He would grudgingly follow me back to the kennel, his head slung low and moving at a snails pace.

I quit hunting him in the uplands a few years ago, as the ground was just not compatible with his aging frame - the steep rocky ground of chukar country is not forgiving. But we did have opportunities to hunt the Valley for ducks, and shoot a few doves at home. The sight of a gun and the closing of it's action still causing him to whimper, whine, and dance.

He is buried above the barn. It is where he spent most of his days when camp was not in session, acting as the official greeter to all who came to visit. His presence will be missed, memories cherished......

Operating philosophy

The photo behind the title header was made by Clair Kofoed in NE Oregon several years ago - Jesse pointing, Huns flushing, and me thinking about the camera and shooting behind.

This century's quotes

"Over the long haul of life on this planet, it is the ecologists, and not the bookkeepers of business, who are the ultimate accountants."

- Stewart Udall, 1970

"Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end"

Search Living with Bird Dogs

Contributors

Mike's October Toby

"Ted" Wenaha High Ryder

Ted is a from Crockett/Sunrise lines, with some Cover Dog blood from his dam's side. Ted has earned eight shooting dog placements in his career, and has a lot of wild birds shot over his points.

"Cody" - Wenaha Code Red

Cody is from Jetsetter X Johnny's Jewel. He has wins at the Western Open AA Derby Classic, the Oregon Shooting Dog CH AA derby, was R-U CH in the 2015 Pacific Coast CH and the 2015 California Quail CH.

"Andy" Wenaha Black Storm

Andy is 16 months old - a son of Tekoa Mountain Patriot X Iron Mistress - a daughter of Grid Iron.

"Buddy" - Wenaha Strongheart

Buddy is from Robertson's Kennel - a son of Audubon Americus X Sunrise's Last Hope - a direct daughter of Tekoa Mountain Sunrise. He was whelped in June of 2016. A really nice pup and I am having fun with him.

"L.J." Wenaha Little John

L.J. is by Cody and Crockett's Prairie Breeze, a daughter of Crockett's Deep Freeze. He is now living in Oklahoma and enjoying life as a family bird dog.